04 August 2010

ABC Wednesday C Refrigerator Canyon & Caves

I took these pictures in July 2010 in Montana's Helena National Forest. The limestone formations create Refrigerator Canyon, which is typically 20-30 degrees cooler than the outside temperature. Carved through limestone by a small mountain stream, the canyon is 10-feet wide and 200-feet tall. It cools when air moves through the canyon and evaporates water from the stream. The creek is high enough this year that parts of the trail beyond the canyon are washed out.

This is one of the walls of the canyon. Do these caves connect? Intuition tells me yes. If I visit again, I'll go when the sun is higher in the sky to see if it provides any clue.

This little cave is on the canyon wall opposite the one pictured above. The dark stuff way in the back center is a patch of bat guano. Bat guano contains guanine, a key ingredient in mascara. Yes ladies, some mascara is made from bat shit. Don't worry, I'm sure it's sterilized. Below you'll find a close-up of a patch for your viewing pleasure. ;-)

You can see these caves way over to the left on the picture above with the possible connecting caves. I think they look like lungs or maybe turkey legs. All these caves got me wishing I was a little critter, so I could check out inside. Spelunking isn't really my thing. I like to see the wide and wild world, not descend into its depths. I'll save that for my final curtain call. Thanks for stopping by to visit. Your comments make my day! Please be sure to visit ABC Wednesday for more explorations of the letter C in picture and word.

I learned a word today spelunking. And it's not my cup of tea too ^_^. I just watch The Descent, and it scares me. I feel I was claustrophobic while watching the movie lol! Love these shots it's amazing how massive this Canyon.